Head of Operations

Recruiter:

Rite Recruitment

Job Ref:

KZN000020/US

Date posted:

Friday, August 1, 2025

Location:

South Africa, South Africa

SUMMARY:
Head of Operations – FMCG Sector - Johannesburg
A respected Food Manufacturer within the FMCG industry is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Operations.
This is a high-impact leadership role for a professional who thrives in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

POSITION INFO:
Responsibilities

Factory Operations/Production/Engineering
Team Leadership
Compliance & Standards (Food Safety Audits)
Financial Oversight
Site Risk Management

Key Performance areas: -

Manage all production and manufacturing processes to ensure performance targets are met.
Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Ensure accurate budgeting, cost forecasting, and expense monitoring for the factory.
Lead a multidisciplinary operations team, promoting accountability, continuous improvement, and a positive workplace culture.
Align staffing and shift planning with production needs to optimize output and reduce downtime.
Support employee development and team capability building.
Coordinate supply chain and procurement to support uninterrupted production (dotted line function)
Monitor key performance indicators and maintain detailed reporting on factory performance.
Ensure preventative maintenance and equipment uptime across all plant assets.
Ensure strict compliance with all relevant food safety, health and safety, environmental, and quality regulations.
Lead internal systems development for technical and compliance reporting.
Stay abreast of legislation and regulatory updates impacting manufacturing.
Monitor production-related expenses and optimize asset utilization to ensure cost-effective operations.
Conduct capex and maintenance reviews and support long-term financial planning.
Lead factory-level budgeting and support business planning initiatives.
Develop and maintain business continuity and emergency response plans.
Oversee waste management, insurance reviews, and overall site housekeeping to ensure operational readiness.

Required Experience & Qualifications

At least 10 years in FMCG manufacturing environment.
A solid background in a senior production or operations role within a food manufacturing environment.
Qualification in Operations, Business Management, or a related field (preferred).
Strong knowledge of food safety standards, technical manufacturing processes, and compliance frameworks.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience using manufacturing performance tools or systems.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit the following documentation:

CV
Qualifications
2 x most recent payslips

Only candidates meeting the specified criteria will be considered

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful. We thank all applicants for their interest.

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